According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, cybersecurity is “the art of protecting networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use and the practice of ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.” The field has become a hotbed for new jobs since the coronavirus pandemic hit the planet, partially because of so many people working remotely. If you’re out there looking for a job, this may be a career field to consider. Here are a few things to ask yourself if cybersecurity is interesting to you.
Do you have a technical background? If you already have a background in IT, a switch into cybersecurity will likely be easier. However, it may not be an immediate fit. Research what qualities and skills are needed for the job you want in order to see where the gaps may be in your technical training. If you do not have a technical background and want to get started right away (not pursue any education), you’ll be in luck if you have any background in areas that would benefit positions like a policy analyst or writer about the field.
Where do you live? Since the coronavirus pandemic, more employees are being allowed to work from home, and this may allow you to pursue cybersecurity positions from just about anywhere. However, a 2018 article from Working Nation cited a post on Cyberseek.com that showed where you would likely find the most cybersecurity positions. They tended to be located in states that had the highest job growths and populations, such as Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, California and New York.
Do you have any certifications (or are you willing to get them?) According to the University of San Diego, certifications in the field of cybersecurity “carry a lot of weight.” They may not land you a job by themselves, but they could certainly move your resume to the top of an otherwise large stack of applicants. There are several you could obtain, but two such certifications in the field are: CISSP-The Certified Information Systems Security Professional and CISM-Certified Information Security Manager.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused many people to rethink their careers and even possibly have to look for new jobs in fields that are thriving due to the pandemic. Cybersecurity looks to be one of those fields. You’ll likely have a much easier time getting into the field if you have a technical background, but it’s entirely possible to get started regardless of you experience. Perhaps do some searching through LinkedIn for people who work in the industry and put out a few feelers to find out what it might take to get started. Who knows, maybe that contact alone will lead to a job opportunity.
If you are considering a career change to the Cybersecurity field and want to update your resume, contact me at amy@careerresourcesllc.com to discuss how you can get started!
How to Land the Best Jobs in Cybersecurity [Update]
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